An Acting Job

Ahmad Bradshaw is too selfish not to score a touchdown, almost costs Giants theSuper Bowl

Ahmad Bradshaw would call it "the greatest feeling in the world."

In truth, it's one of the most selfish plays in Super Bowl history. By refusing to go down at the 1-yard line as instructed by his quarterback Eli Manning, Bradshaw put the New York Giants' Super Bowl win in dire jeopardy.

Sorry, I'm not buying it for a second that Bradshaw scored that last-minute touchdown by "accident." The Giants tailback easily could have stopped short of the goal line like his coach planned for him to do. Bradshaw could have gone down and made sure Tom Brady and the New England Patriots never touched the ball again.

Bradshaw's "game-winning" touchdown is arguably the most selfish Super Bowl play since Ditka gave the ball to Perry rather than Payton in Super Bowl XX.

He could have stayed true to Tom Coughlin's script and set the Giants up to sprint off the Lucas Oil Stadium field as sure 18-17 winners of Super Bowl XLVI.

But Bradshaw couldn't resist the chance to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. So he put his own glory over the good of the team. Bradshaw's pretend stumble into the end zone is as bad of an acting job as a soccer star's worst flop.

Bradshaw wasn't really trying to avoid going into the end zone. He was trying to score while making it look like he made some effort to avoid it.

He's a fleet professional athlete, a tailback with good footwork. There was not a Patriot around Bradshaw. They were begging him to score, having been smartly completely called off by Bill Belichick. If Bradshaw truly wanted to stop short, he easily could have.

Instead, he fakes like he's going to halt only after he's inches from the end zone. And instead of just stopping, he turns backwards and stumbles in butt first. Even The Rock would be ashamed at that work of thespianism.

It's not hard to take a knee. If you really want to.

Bradshaw's bit of selfishness shouldn't be excused or laughed away just because the Giants ended up winning the Super Bowl, 21-17, anyway. He gave Brady and the Patriots a real chance when Manning and Coughlin orchestrated a drive that should have left the Patriots with none. If Deion Branch and Aaron Hernandez don't drop ultra-catchable balls, Brady has an even better opportunity than a heave from the 40-yard line into the end zone to win it on the final play because of Bradshaw's TD greed.

If Bradshaw goes down short of the goal line inside of a minute like he's told, Brady likely loses without even touching the ball again. At best, he gets a futile shot at an 80-yard fling.

And you get the sense that No. 44 knows it.

If Bradshaw truly wanted to stop short, he easily could have.

“I was nervous,” Bradshaw told reporters in Indianapolis afterwards. “I was shaking. Just to have the ball in Brady’s hand, clutch situation. He’s a great quarterback.”

Was Bradshaw nervous because he knew he could have avoided all that drama if he only have resisted the lure of a Super Bowl touchdown? Bradshaw's "game-winning" touchdown is arguably the most selfish Super Bowl play since Chicago Bears coach Mike Dikta gave the ball to William "Refrigerator" Perry rather than Walter Payton at the goal line in Super Bowl XX.

But at least Payton being robbed of his rightful touchdown had no impact on a blowout game.

Bradshaw's selfish, butt-first glory grab could have changed the outcome of one of the closest Super Bowls ever. He should be more than a little ashamed.

chill out

Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Houston Astros Daikin Park rendering

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

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Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

houston astros daikin park business

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